Mission: To provide radio communications support
to the
Loudoun
County Chapter of the American Red
Cross (ARC). Loudoun County Chapter, ARC is providing support to the
Reston
Bike Club. The majority of the Century proceeds benefit the Loudoun County
Chapter of the American Red Cross. Reston Bike Club also uses a portion of
the proceeds to purchase bicycles for disadvantage kids.

Weather: The bike event will be held rain or
shine.
See
Washington DC Area Radar Loop. Safety of the operators and their equipment
must be respected and inclement weather can restrict or curtail LARG
participation.

Concept Of Operation:

1. Radios and antennas equipment will be set up at
the sites starting at about
6:00 A.M., Sunday,
August 26, 2001. Operational test will be conducted following installation
of all equipment. The LARG will attempt to establish two shifts to support
the operation through 1800 hours, Sunday afternoon..

Electrical Power. All stations will be power
from 12-volt DC batteries. There is no on site commercial power. If vehicle
is used for battery power then care should be taken on its position
to avoid exhaust fumes near riders and other volunteers.

Site Support: Operators should provide sun shading
if not available at site.

Station Equipment.
All Stations should have 2 meter capability
for primary communications on 147.480 MHz. Some sort of gain antenna would
help to ensure a good link. Secondary mode will be 80/40 meter SSB with suggested
frequencies of 3918 KHz and 7285 KHz plus or minus a few KHzs to avoid any
other activity. One HF antenna method ia a simple 40M dipole installed at
least 12 to 15 feet off the ground is recommended. This can then be extended
with clip on leads to change to 80M.

Safety: Care should be taken on position of
antennas to eliminate and risk of adverse RF exposure. Watch for tripping
hazards on coax runs. If HF operation is used power should be limited to
50w to reduce RF exposure. Avoid erecting antennas near overhead electrical
power lines.

Reston Cross Band Operation: Due to the proximity
of tall buildings to the Command Center Location, we will use a cross band
repeater. The ground station at Reston will use a frequency 445.925 MHz to
communicate to a mobile rig parked on top of the near by parking garage.
It will be in a 440 to 2m cross band repeat mode. It will retransmit the
ground stations on a frequency of 147.48 MHz. Also 440 HT's can be used in
proximity to the Reston Command Center.

Net Control: The
Hillsboro Site will be the Net Control Station.
All stations should have a log book and NTS message forms should be
used.

Time: All logs and messages will be kept in
local eastern daylight saving time in a 2400 hour format. For example, use
1300 hours for 1:00 PM.

Maps:
104
Mile,
62
Mile and
31
Mile (NOTE: These are Reston 2000 Maps - They may post new ones soon.)
Route maps are posted to the LARG Web Site. Red Cross support personnel will
also have route maps.

Radio Interference: This on-the-air activity
will be on a noninterference basis. Change operating frequencies to avoid
harmful interference.

On Site Refreshments: LARG operators can use
the facilities and refreshments provided to the ride participants.
It is recommended that you bring your own lunch.
Attempts have been made to have two operators
at each location to provide breaks. ARC has requested help in providing
additional ice chests. Care should be taken to mark any personal
property.

Summary Of Operational Personnel:

Shifts

Morning
Shift

Afternoon
Shift

Location

0600-1200 Op 1

0600-1200 Op 2

0600-1200 Op 3

1200-1800 Op 1

1200-1800 Op 2

1200-1800 Op 3

Reston Town Ctr

KC1YC Larry McCaig

.

.

KC1YC Larry McCaig

.

.

Reston Relay

KF4TJI
Denny Boehler

KF4TJJ
Carol Boehler

N/A

KF4TJI
Denny Boehler

KF4TJJ
Carol Boehler

N/A

ARC Vehicle #1

KG4KZZ
Dave Putman

N/A

N/A

KG4KZZ
Dave Putman

N/A

N/A

ARC Vehicle #2

N3GMW Mark Gillam

N/A

N/A

N3GMW Mark Gillam

N/A

N/A

Ashburn

K8SYH Bill Buchholz

.

.

K8SYH Bill Buchholz

KG4L John Rehwinkewl

WA9LAZ
Chester Kmak

Arcola

NA4MA Tom Garasic

KG4AVR Angi Garasic

.

NA4MA Tom Garasic

KG4AVR Angi Garasic

.

Hamilton

AI2C Norm Styer

WB4AEJ Fred Atkinson

Scout Vincent
Herrington

AI2C Norm Styer

WB4AEJ Fred Atkinson

Vincent
Herrington

Hillsboro - NCS

WB3AKD Tom Dawson

KE4FYL Allon Stern

.

WB3AKD Tom Dawson

KE4FYL Allon Stern

K4AJA Ray Houff

.

.

.

.

N4PD Paul Dluehosh

KE4RTP Nancy Dluehosh

.

Route Riders

KD5CTJ Erik Werner

.

.

.

.

.

Additions and Changes: Additions and changes
should be brought to the attention of
Mark Gillam N3GMW. Telephone (540) 822-5690 or Email:
N3GMW@earthlink.net.